Latest news with #TeaBoard
The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Assam Government to open 80 more schools in tea garden areas
'The Assam Government will open 80 more model schools in tea garden areas along with introducing initiatives such as mid-day meal schemes for Classes IX and X students and smart classroom facilities,' Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said. Interacting with the headmasters of the Tea Garden Model Schools and Adarsha Vidyalayas in Guwahati on Thursday (July 10, 2025), the Chief Minister said that with the vision of bringing about qualitative changes in the academic landscape of the tea garden areas, the State Government has decided to set up 200 model schools in 800 tea estates across the State. Accordingly, in November 2022, foundation stones for 118 schools were laid, which are functioning at present in the tea garden areas. He said that considering the success of these model schools, the government will inaugurate 80 more such schools in the tea garden areas. He also emphasised encouraging the enrollment of students from different communities in the tea garden schools to ensure better assimilation. 'The government is also committed to enhancing the infrastructure of the schools along with improving the service conditions of teachers posted in the model schools,' Mr. Sarma added. Taking note of the occasional dropouts, the Chief Minister said that the government is considering the option of introducing a mid-day meal for the students of Classes IX and X, which is now available for students from nursery to Class 8. He said that the government will take steps to introduce smart boards and smart classrooms in the model schools. The Chief Minister also took stock of the teachers' strength, pass percentage and student attendance in the model schools. He said that students from various communities should also be encouraged to enrol in the tea garden model schools, as it will help in assimilation and fostering harmonious relationships with students belonging to different communities. The Chief Minister also took stock of the functioning of the 57 Adarsha Vidyalayas in the State. Send officers who can communicate: Assam small tea growers to Tea Board He said the Adarsha Vidyalayas were set up with a vision to nurture talent, values and creativity through high-quality education, and the government is putting its efforts into elevating the quality of education in remote areas. Mr. Sarma said the government will take steps to formalise one year of compulsory apprentice training for the students in tea garden model schools and Adarsha Vidyalayas. He also said that to ensure the attendance of students in remote areas, the government will provide bicycles to students from Class VI onwards. To motivate students to attend school and take care of their health, the Chief Minister said that the government is considering introducing a School Breakfast Programme along with mandatory health checkups for students.
The Print
6 days ago
- Business
- The Print
Small tea growers urges Centre for fair price discovery mechanism
It said the Tea Board should undertake a detailed study to determine an equitable price-sharing ratio between small growers and factories. In a letter to Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (CISTA) suggested a price protection scheme modelled on the lines of the minimum support price (MSP). Kolkata, Jul 10 (PTI) Small tea growers, who contribute more than 50 per cent to the crop production of the country, have urged the Centre to set up a fair and transparent price discovery mechanism so that they can realise a proper value by selling leaves to factories. Small growers are facing the persistent challenge of poor price realisation, which is undermining the sector's sustainability, CISTA president Bijoy Gopal Chakraborty said. Small growers contribute more than 52 per cent to the country's tea production, and a proper price realisation mechanism should be identified so that livelihoods are sustained, he said. Chakraborty said the association has already submitted a detailed status paper to the Commerce Ministry in May 2023, outlining the structural bottlenecks faced by the sector, which is suffering from chronic price realisation challenges. He said the concept of minimum benchmark price should be replaced by a new methodology linked to the total sales value so that growers receive a fair and remunerative price. CISTA favoured the Sri Lankan model, under which surplus earnings over auction averages are shared equally between factories and growers. Proposing a price protection scheme for small growers, it said the average green leaf price currently ranges between Rs 22 to Rs 25 per kg, while the cost of production is hovering between Rs 17 and Rs 20 per kg. The yield on a modest margin is Rs 5 per kg for the growers, it said. On the other side, agents typically charge Rs 2 per kg, the CISTA said it is a big disincentive, and growers should be able to sell directly to factories. PTI dc SOM This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
HC seeks clarity on land use conversion of Doon tea gardens
Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court has sought clarification from the state govt and the petitioner on whether necessary approvals were obtained from the Tea Board and the central govt before converting Dehradun's historic tea garden lands for cultivating crops such as sugarcane, cucumbers and watermelons, while ensuring compliance with the Tea Act, 1953. A bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra scheduled the next hearing for July 28. The public interest litigation was filed by Dev Anand, a resident of Vikas Nagar in Dehradun, who highlighted that the region was specifically designated exclusively for tea cultivation and that other agricultural activities were prohibited. The petitioner argued that replacing tea with seasonal crops undermines the area's designated purpose and urged the state to protect and promote it as a heritage tea estate. In an earlier hearing, HC directed the petitioner's counsel to cite specific clauses that bar the conversion of plantation land. The state's counsel was asked to clarify the rights of Shri Gururam Rai Mission and the management of Udiya Tea Estate and Goodreach Tea Estate over the land in question. These tea gardens, some dating back to the 1840s and 1850s, have increasingly come under threat due to encroachment and real estate development. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Big Tummy? Do It Before Bedtime And Lose Weight While You Sleep Beauty Ideas Read More Undo Multiple PILs have been filed over the years to preserve these green spaces, but many of the once-thriving estates such as Arcadia Grant, East Hopetown, Gudiyabagh, and Herbertpur have since fallen into neglect and disrepair. Dehradun: Uttarakhand high court has sought clarification from the state govt and the petitioner on whether necessary approvals were obtained from the Tea Board and the central govt before converting Dehradun's historic tea garden lands for cultivating crops such as sugarcane, cucumbers and watermelons, while ensuring compliance with the Tea Act, 1953. A bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Alok Mahra scheduled the next hearing for July 28. The public interest litigation was filed by Dev Anand, a resident of Vikas Nagar in Dehradun, who highlighted that the region was specifically designated exclusively for tea cultivation and that other agricultural activities were prohibited. The petitioner argued that replacing tea with seasonal crops undermines the area's designated purpose and urged the state to protect and promote it as a heritage tea estate. In an earlier hearing, HC directed the petitioner's counsel to cite specific clauses that bar the conversion of plantation land. The state's counsel was asked to clarify the rights of Shri Gururam Rai Mission and the management of Udiya Tea Estate and Goodreach Tea Estate over the land in question. These tea gardens, some dating back to the 1840s and 1850s, have increasingly come under threat due to encroachment and real estate development. Multiple PILs have been filed over the years to preserve these green spaces, but many of the once-thriving estates such as Arcadia Grant, East Hopetown, Gudiyabagh, and Herbertpur have since fallen into neglect and disrepair.
India Gazette
25-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Iran-Israel conflict disrupts orthodox tea exports; Assam industry faces major blow
Jorhat (Assam) [India], June 25 (ANI): The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has severely disrupted India's Orthodox tea exports, particularly disrupting business from Assam, the country's largest producer of Orthodox tea. Iran, a key buyer of Indian Orthodox tea imports nearly 28 million kilos annually, of which around 24 million kilos are sourced from Assam. With Assam producing roughly 85 million kilos of Orthodox tea each year, this disruption has jeopardised a significant portion of the state's exports. Indian Orthodox tea refers to tea processed using the traditional method, which involves hand-plucking, withering, rolling, oxidation, and drying. Exporters report major delays and complications in both shipments and payment settlements since the war began. These disruptions have triggered a steep fall in Orthodox tea prices at recent auctions, causing deep concern among tea growers and manufacturers, especially in Assam. According to observers, what's raising eyebrows within the industry is that Sri Lanka -- another major supplier of Orthodox tea to Iran -- has not seen a similar sharp market decline. Industry experts suggest this may be because Sri Lankan exporters are not exploiting the crisis, or the Sri Lankan government is actively stepping in to stabilise the sector. While the current turmoil is expected to be temporary, the uncertainty is putting immense pressure on Orthodox tea producers. Stakeholders are hopeful that once the conflict subsides, exports will resume and payment channels will normalise. Until then, manufacturers -- particularly in Assam -- are left grappling with mounting losses and market instability. Industry bodies are urging the central government to provide immediate relief and take policy-level steps to support the tea sector during this volatile period. Talking to ANI, Prabhat Bezbaruah, former Chairman of the Tea Board and Toklai Tea Research Institute, said, 'Mainly, Orthodox tea exports have been hit because Iran is a large market for Orthodox teas -- about 28 million kilos of Indian Orthodox tea are exported to Iran.' 'There has been a disruption in shipments as well as in payments. As a result, the prices of Orthodox tea have dropped significantly in the last auction. This is quite surprising because Sri Lanka is also a major exporter of Orthodox tea to Iran, yet the Sri Lankan market has not reacted to the same extent,' he added. He added that there has been a disruption in shipments and payments. 'As a result, the prices of Orthodox tea have dropped significantly in the last auction. This is quite surprising because Sri Lanka is also a major exporter of Orthodox tea to Iran, yet the Sri Lankan market has not reacted to the same extent,' he added. Bezbaruah further added, 'It appears that exporters in India -- who buy tea from tea gardens and tea companies -- are, to some extent, taking advantage of the situation. In contrast, in Sri Lanka, either exporters are not exploiting the situation or the government is intervening to support the exporters and maintain trade continuity.' He expressed his optimism, stating that the present conditions seem to be a temporary issue. 'As soon as the war ends, exports are expected to resume and payments should be regularised. However, at present, we are facing significant difficulties in exporting tea to Iran,' he added. (ANI)
The Print
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Print
Tea exports from India rise by 9.92 per cent at 254.67 million kg in calendar 2024
In south India, production volumes from January to December 2024 stood at 99.86 million kg, as against 90.69 million kg in the previous calendar of 2023, registering a rise of 10.11 per cent year-on-year. According to the latest data released by Tea Board, production in the north Indian estates during calendar 2024 stood at 154.81 million kg, as compared to 141 million kg in the preceding period from January to December 2023, registering a rise of 9.79 per cent year-on-year. Kolkata, Jun 11 (PTI) Tea exports from India increased by 9.92 per cent at 254.67 million kg, from January to December 2024, against 231.69 million kg in the previous calendar year. Tea Board also released provisional data for the period between January and March 2025, where the all-India production during the three months stood marginally higher at 69.22 million kg compared to 67.53 million kg in the preceding similar period year-on-year. The production in north India during the three months, from January to March 2025, stood 14.38 per cent higher at 45.35 million kg over 39.65 million kilograms year-on-year. For south India, production volumes declined 14.38 per cent to 23.87 million kg from January to March 2025, compared to 27.88 million kg in the preceding period. PTI dc SBN SBN This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
